Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Dec. 4-10

Reminder for the week: Sunday deer hunting regulations

DOVER – To achieve public compliance through education andDE F&W Natural Resources Police logo enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Dec. 4-10 made 1,355 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, including 86 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing and hunting regulation compliance checks, issuing 27 citations. Officers responded to 32 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

  • Throughout the month of November, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers paid to participate in “No Shave November.” Officers who participated contributed $434 to the hurricane relief efforts that will directly assist Fish & Wildlife officers and their families in those affected areas.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

  • On Dec. 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Jayson Armstrong, 34, of Delaware City, for one count each of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited and unlicensed hunting on the C&D Canal near New Castle. Armstrong was arraigned at New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on a $5,001 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in New Castle County Court of Common Pleas.
  • On Dec. 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources police officers arrested a Magnolia man for possession of a weapon by a person prohibited and multiple deer hunting violations. The following press release was released in regards to the incident: Magnolia man arrested by DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police for weapons possession by a person prohibited and multiple deer hunting violations.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation: Hunting closed area (2), hunt deer during unlawful hours (nighttime) (1), unlicensed hunting (1)*, trespassing to hunt (6), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1), possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl (2), no federal waterfowl stamp (1), and transport unlawfully taken antlerless deer (2).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: trespassing to fish (2) and possession of unlawfully taken crappie (2).

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (7)*.

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters that Sunday deer hunting is only permitted on specified days on private lands with landowner permission and on certain public lands designated by government agencies. The only Sunday deer hunting remaining for the 2017/2018 hunting season is on Jan.14, 2018. Sunday deer hunting can occur during the regular deer hunting hours of one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. Wildlife areas are open for Sunday deer hunting, however portions of some wildlife areas are closed to Sunday deer hunting, as indicated on these maps. Sunday deer hunting is not allowed on any portion of the DNERR-Blackbird Creek Reserve; that includes the following portion that is open to deer hunting during certain other days.

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Contact: Lt. John McDerby 302-354-1386 or Sgt. Brooke Africa 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 302-739-9913

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Nov. 27-Dec. 3

Reminder for the week: Take the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police survey today

DOVER – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Nov. 27- Dec. 3 made 1,590 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, including 120 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing and hunting regulation compliance checks, issuing 52 citations. Officers responded to 32 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

  • On Nov. 28, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Kimberly T. Jackson, 57, of Millsboro, for one count each of firearm possession by a person prohibited, aggravated menacing, terroristic threatening, impede lawful hunting, and unlicensed hunting following an investigation into a confrontation that occurred between hunters near Millsboro. Jackson was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on a $22,150 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.
  • On Nov. 28, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources police officers arrested three downstate men for multiple deer hunting violations. The following press release was released in regards to the incident: DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrest three downstate men on multiple deer hunting violations

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to tag antlered deer (3), failure to retain tag on antlered deer (3), failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours (3), removing antlered deer parts prior to checking (3), hunt antlered deer during archery season with a weapon other than a bow and arrow (3), impede lawful hunting (1), kill any antlered deer without first purchasing a hunters choice tag (3), illegal method of take (3), failure to complete mandatory hunter education (1), and unlicensed hunting (4).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: possession of over the limit shad (4) and possession of undersize tautog (1).

Public Safety: Firearm possession by person prohibited (1), aggravated menacing (1), terroristic threatening (1), possession of drug paraphernalia (2), and possession of marijuana-civil (1)*.

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, operating an unlicensed or unregistered vehicle on a wildlife area (1)*, trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (10)*, littering/dumping on a state forest area (1), and parking violation for unattended vehicle (1).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police value your opinion. Have you had contact with one of our officers? If so, please let us know about it. Your responses to this brief survey will help us serve you better in the future. Thank you to all Delaware hunters, anglers, boaters and outdoors recreationalists who have taken the time to answer the survey.

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Contact: Lt. John McDerby 302-354-1386 or Sgt. Brooke Africa 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 302-739-9913

Magnolia man arrested by DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police for weapons possession by a person prohibited and multiple deer hunting violations

MAGNOLIA – A DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police investigation culminated Dec. 4 with the arrest of a Magnolia man for multiple deer hunting violations and charges related to possession of firearms, deadly weapons, and ammunition by a person prohibited.

Isaac L. Wiley, 47, of Magnolia, was charged with three counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited; two counts of possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited; one count of possession of ammunition by a person prohibited, and two counts of transporting an illegally killed deer.

As part of the investigation, a shotgun, two muzzleloaders, two compound bows, and numerous rounds of ammunition were seized from Wiley’s residence.

Wiley was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover and released on his own recognizance pending a future court appearance.

Delaware law prohibits a person whose criminal history includes prior felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions associated with violent crimes, drug convictions and mental conditions as defined under the law, or court-issued protection from abuse orders from owning or possessing any type of deadly weapons. Deadly weapons consist of all types of firearms, as well as ammunition and any type bow-compound, recurve or crossbow.

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Media contacts: Contact: Lt. John McDerby 302-354-1386 or Sgt. Brooke Africa 302-382-7167, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 47, No. 258

DNREC announces Delaware hunting seasons continue in December, with waterfowl reopening through January

DOVER – Delaware waterfowl hunters are gearing up for the state’s third and final waterfowl split season, which runs from Friday, Dec. 8 thru Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018.

“Through the end of January, we conduct aerial waterfowl surveys every two weeks and we typically see an increase in the number of waterfowl between surveys as more birds push south during their migration,” said Wildlife Biologist Justyn Foth, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife. In addition to waterfowl, many other hunting and trapping opportunities can now be taken advantage of throughout the state.

Hunting and trapping seasons opening in December include:

Hunting:

  • Brant: Dec. 2 – Jan. 31, 2018
  • Waterfowl (Coots and Mergansers): Dec. 8  – Jan. 27, 2018
  • Antlerless deer: Dec. 9-16, including Sunday, Dec. 10
  • Canada geese (Migratory): Dec. 15 – Feb. 3, 2018

Trapping:

  • Muskrat, Mink, Otter, Raccoon, Opossum, Nutria:
    • New Castle County: Dec. 1 – Mar. 10, 2018
    • Kent and Sussex counties: Dec. 15 – Mar. 15, 2018
  • Beaver: Dec. 1 – Mar. 20, 2018
  • Red Fox, Coyote: Dec. 1 – Mar. 10, 2018

DNREC reminds hunters that, new this year, registered motor vehicles used to access designated public lands owned or managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife are required to display a Delaware Conservation Access Pass (CAP). Hunters can opt to receive one free annual vehicle pass with the purchase of any Delaware hunting license. To obtain a free CAP, or to purchase an additional pass, hunters will need to have the registration card for the vehicle to which the pass will be assigned.

Delaware hunting licenses, state waterfowl stamps, and conservation access passes can be purchased online at Delaware Licenses, at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or from hunting license dealers statewide. For hunters age 16 and older, a federal migratory bird hunting stamp also is required to hunt waterfowl; federal stamps are available at U.S. Post Offices and online at Federal duck stamp.

To purchase your hunting license, either in person or online, hunters must have a copy of their hunter safety card as proof of taking a basic hunter education safety course. Hunters who took a Delaware hunter safety course after 2008 can print their hunter safety card by visiting Hunter Education Access. Hunters who took their hunter safety course before 2008 should call the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1 to obtain a hunter safety card.

For more information on hunting, click 2017-2018 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide, Wildlife Area Hunting Maps, and Sunday deer hunting. Hard copies of the guide and newly-updated hunting maps are available at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office. More information on hunting licenses, season details and conservation access passes also is available by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

Vol. 47, No. 255

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrest three downstate men for multiple deer hunting violations

DOVER – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police concluded an investigation Nov. 28 resulting in the arrest of three Delaware men on multiple deer hunting violations that occurred Nov. 22 in Kent County.

Riley C. Slater, 20, of Harrington, Bradley A. Andrews, 18, and Patrick Blades, 20, both of Greenwood, were charged with one count each of the following: harvesting an antlered deer without first purchasing an antlered deer tag, failure to tag antlered deer, failure to retain tag on antlered deer, failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours, removing antlered deer parts prior to checking, hunting antlered deer during archery season with a weapon other than a bow and arrow, unlicensed hunting, and illegal method of take. Slater was also charged with failure to complete mandatory hunter education.

As part of the investigation, two .22 caliber rifles, a .308 caliber rifle, and an antlered deer were seized. Rifles, including the .22 caliber and the .308 caliber confiscated in this case, are illegal to use for hunting deer in Delaware.

All three men were arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover. Andrews and Blades were released on $3,600 unsecured bond, pending a future court appearance. Slater was released on a $3,800 unsecured bond, pending a future court appearance.

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Contact: Lt. John McDerby 302-354-1386 or Sgt. Brooke Africa 302-382-7167, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 47, No. 253